In politics, as in life, timing is everything. Great leaders understand when to act boldly and when to hold the line — when to compromise and when to walk away. In elections, successful candidates understand the electoral calendar and leverage it to their advantage.

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August 6, 2025

In politics, as in life, timing is everything.

Great leaders understand when to act boldly and when to hold the line — when to compromise and when to walk away. In elections, successful candidates understand the electoral calendar and leverage it to their advantage.

In 1992, former President Bill Clinton knew it was a good time to run for president, at a moment when virtually every other Democratic politician thought the incumbent president – George H.W. Bush – was unbeatable. Sixteen years later, it was then-Sen. Barack Obama, who understood that his star would never burn brighter than in a primary contest against Hillary Clinton.

For all the good he accomplished in office, President Joe Biden tragically miscalculated how long his mandate to be a “bridge” to a future generation of Democrats should last. The result was that Vice President Kamala Harris had only 107 days to run a general election campaign. We now know that it was simply not enough time.

It is therefore somewhat surprising that Republicans, spoiling for a fight over mid-cycle redistricting, chose Texas as the place to do so. Texas has one of the nation’s earliest...

Want to know why Texas made a timing mistake with its gerrymandering plan? Democracy Docket founder and voting rights attorney Marc Elias gives members the inside scoop.

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